“Gritty blues and soulful ballads [performed with] absolute authority…Chris O’Leary rocks relentlessly with assurance and a clear sense of passion and purpose. He is a potent, raging tour-de-force.” —Living Blues

Alligator Records is pleased to announce the signing of soulful vocalist, dynamic harmonica master and gifted songwriter Chris O’Leary. His label debut, The Hard Line, was released on Friday, January 12, 2024. It is available at all digital services, on CD and on translucent red vinyl LP. O’Leary is among the blues and roots world’s most talented unsung heroes. The Marine veteran, ex-Federal police officer and former lead singer of The Barn Burners (featuring Levon Helm on drums) has walked a hard line from his upstate New York home to stages all over the world. No Depression magazine says, “O’Leary’s voice contains startling emotion…reaching an intensity and emotional rawness [that’s] primal. The performances practically vibrate with an authenticity that stays with you.”

The Hard Line, produced by O’Leary and featuring 12 striking originals, has many stories to tell. With over 30 newly-written, never-recorded songs to choose from (mostly written during the downtime of the pandemic) O’Leary and Iglauer carefully picked what Chris calls “the best of them all.” The wildly energetic original song Lost My Mind premiered in October of 2023.
Chris has the guys with him including:
Brooks Milgate (keys), Ana Popovic Band
Pete Kanaras (bass) formerly of the Nighthawks, recorded and toured with Hubert Sumlin
Mike Lynch (guitar) formerly of Albatross, Mighty Bel-Mars
Chuck Cotton (drums) played with Nappy Brown, Matt and Nikki Hill and Muddy Waters alum Bob Margolin
Every one of these gentlemen are absolute pros in their own right and help bring the music deep down to your soul.
Only 60 tickets are available and are sold online only until sold out OR Feb 23, when you may purchase any remaining tickets in person at The Hotel.
As the Hotel is normally closed on this day, only a very limited menu will be available for dinner from 4pm – 8pm.